Regionalna razvojna agencija za Podravje - Maribor

Their core work

RRA Podravje - Maribor is a regional development agency in northeastern Slovenia that supports SMEs through the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN). Their core work involves coaching SMEs on innovation management, helping them access EU funding instruments (SME Instrument, FET Open, FTI), and building their innovation capacity using tools like IMP3rove. More recently, they have expanded into urban sustainability — participating in circular economy construction projects and large-scale nature-based solutions for urban regeneration.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

From 2014 to 2019, the agency was almost exclusively focused on Enterprise Europe Network activities — coaching SMEs, building innovation management capacity, and guiding companies through EU funding instruments. Starting in 2018, they began diversifying into circular economy and sustainable construction through CINDERELA. The 2021 Upsurge project marks a significant pivot, bringing them into nature-based solutions and urban regenerative planning with a budget ten times larger than any previous project.

They are transitioning from a pure SME advisory role toward becoming a regional actor in urban sustainability and nature-based solutions, likely positioning Maribor as a pilot city for EU regeneration initiatives.

How they like to work

RRA Podravje - Maribor has never coordinated an H2020 project — they consistently join as a participant or third party, contributing regional expertise and local implementation capacity. With 45 unique partners across 14 countries, they build broad European networks rather than sticking to a small circle. This makes them a reliable, low-risk consortium partner who brings regional reach and SME access without competing for project leadership.

They have collaborated with 45 unique partners across 14 countries, reflecting a broad European network built primarily through EEN consortium activities. Their geographic connections span well beyond the immediate Central European region.

What sets them apart

As a regional development agency, RRA Podravje - Maribor offers something universities and research institutes cannot: direct access to a regional SME ecosystem and the administrative machinery to implement innovation support programs on the ground. Their EEN track record means they have an established pipeline of local companies ready to engage with EU research outputs. For urban sustainability consortia, they bring the city-level implementation perspective that complements technical partners.

Highlights from their portfolio

• Upsurge
  By far their largest project (EUR 597,500), marking a strategic pivot into nature-based urban regeneration with a timeline extending to 2026.
• CINDERELA
  Their first project outside EEN activities, introducing circular economy and industrial symbiosis in construction — a bridge between their SME support roots and sustainability ambitions.
• We4SMESLO
  Five consecutive iterations (2014-2021) demonstrate sustained commitment and trusted delivery within the Enterprise Europe Network.